Eye patch device

Abstract

A reversible eye patch configured to be worn on either the left or right eye of the patient, including a headband having a longitudinal axis and a mount assembly coupled to a portion of an exterior surface of the headband that defines a circumferentially extending pocket that further defines an elliptically shaped central opening in the mount assembly. A major axis of the elliptically shaped central opening is positioned at an acute angle β with respect to the longitudinal axis of the headband. The eye patch also includes an eye shield having a generally ovoid shape that is configured to be selectably seated within the pocket of the mount assembly. A strap extends outwardly from a portion of the mount assembly along an axis generally coaxial to the major axis of the elliptically shaped central opening and has a distal end portion that is configured to be selectively and releasably coupled to a portion of the headband so that the eye shield can be secured about the selected eye of the patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An eye patch for use by a patient, comprising:
 a headband having a longitudinal axis, wherein at least a portion of the headband is formed of elastic material;   a mount assembly having first sheet of material positioned in opposition to a second sheet of material, the first and second sheets being connected about a portion of the respective circumferential edges of the first and second sheets and define a circumferentially extending pocket between the respective inner surfaces of the first and second sheets; wherein the opposed first and second sheets define an elliptically shaped central opening in the mount assembly; wherein the mount assembly is coupled to a portion of an exterior surface of the headband such that a major axis of the elliptically shaped central opening is positioned at an acute angle β with respect to the longitudinal axis of the headband; and   a strap mounted to and extending outwardly from a portion of the circumferential edges of the first and second sheets of the mount assembly along an axis generally coaxial to the major axis of the elliptically shaped central opening; wherein at least a portion of the strap is formed of elastic material; wherein a distal end portion of the strap is configured to be selectively and releasably coupled to a portion of the headband.   
     
     
         2 . The eye patch of  claim 1 , wherein the headband has an upper edge and a lower edge. 
     
     
         3 . The eye patch of  claim 2 , wherein a portion of the circumferential edges of the first and second sheets is positioned proximate an upper edge of the headband. 
     
     
         4 . The eye patch of  claim 2 , wherein a focus of the elliptically shaped central opening is positioned proximate a lower edge of the headband. 
     
     
         5 . The eye patch of  claim 2 , wherein a focus of the elliptically shaped central opening is positioned between the longitudinal axis of the headband and the lower edge of the headband. 
     
     
         6 . The eye patch of  claim 1 , wherein the headband is continuous. 
     
     
         7 . The eye patch of  claim 1 , wherein the eye patch is reversible and can be configured to be worn on either the left or right eye of the patient. 
     
     
         8 . The eye patch of  claim 1 , wherein the acute angle β ranges from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The eye patch of  claim 1 , further comprising an eye shield having a generally ovoid shape and a peripheral edge, wherein the eye shield is configured to be selectably seated within the pocket of the mount assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The eye patch of  claim 9 , wherein the generally ovoid shape is a generally teardrop shape. 
     
     
         11 . The eye patch of  claim 9 , wherein the eye shield is rigid and the peripheral edge is shaped to conform to the facial contours of the patient. 
     
     
         12 . The eye patch of  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the eye shield is deformable to allow the peripheral edge of the eye shield to deform to the facial contours of the patient. 
     
     
         13 . The eye patch of  claim 9 , further comprising an annular cover member configured to be mounted about the periphery of the eye shield and overlie the peripheral edge of the eye shield. 
     
     
         14 . The eye patch of  claim 9 , wherein a portion of respective circumferential edges of the first and second sheets of the mount assembly defines an access opening thereto the circumferentially extending pocket, wherein the access opening has an elongate length that is configured to allow passage of the eye shield into the circumferentially extending pocket; and wherein the assess opening is configured to be selectively opened or sealed by the patient to selectively seat the eye shield therein the circumferentially extending pocket. 
     
     
         14 . The eye patch of  claim 9 , wherein the elongate length of the access opening has a length that is at least the length of the minor axis of the elliptically shaped central opening. 
     
     
         15 . A reversible eye patch configured to be worn on either the left or right eye of the patient, comprising:
 a continuous headband having a longitudinal axis, wherein at least a portion of the headband is formed of elastic material;   a mount assembly having first sheet of material positioned in opposition to a second sheet of material, the first and second sheets being connected about a portion of the respective circumferential edges of the first and second sheets and define a circumferentially extending pocket between the respective inner surfaces of the first and second sheets; wherein the opposed first and second sheets define an elliptically shaped central opening in the mount assembly; wherein the mount assembly is coupled to a portion of an exterior surface of the headband such that a major axis of the elliptically shaped central opening is positioned at an acute angle β with respect to the longitudinal axis of the headband;   an eye shield having a generally ovoid shape and a peripheral edge, wherein the eye shield is configured to be selectably seated within the pocket of the mount assembly, wherein a portion of respective circumferential edges of the first and second sheets of the mount assembly defines an access opening thereto the circumferentially extending pocket, wherein the access opening has an elongate length that is configured to allow passage of the eye shield into the circumferentially extending pocket; and wherein the assess opening is configured to be selectively opened or sealed by the patient to selectively seat the eye shield therein the circumferentially extending pocket; and   a strap mounted to and extending outwardly from a portion of the circumferential edges of the first and second sheets of the mount assembly along an axis generally coaxial to the major axis of the elliptically shaped central opening; wherein at least a portion of the strap is formed of elastic material; wherein a distal end portion of the strap is configured to be selectively and releasably coupled to a portion of the headband.   
     
     
         16 . The eye patch of  claim 15 , wherein the headband has an upper edge and a lower edge. 
     
     
         17 . The reversible eye patch of  claim 16 , wherein a portion of the circumferential edges of the first and second sheets is positioned proximate an upper edge of the headband. 
     
     
         18 . The reversible eye patch of  claim 16  wherein a focus of the elliptically shaped central opening is positioned proximate a lower edge of the headband. 
     
     
         19 . The reversible eye patch of  claim 16 , wherein a focus of the elliptically shaped central opening is positioned between the longitudinal axis of the headband and the lower edge of the headband. 
     
     
         20 . The reversible eye patch of  claim 15 , wherein the acute angle β ranges from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. 
     
     
         21 . The reversible eye patch of  claim 15 , wherein the eye shield is rigid and the peripheral edge is shaped to conform to the facial contours of the patient. 
     
     
         22 . The reversible eye patch of  claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of the eye shield is deformable to allow the peripheral edge of the eye shield to deform to the facial contours of the patient. 
     
     
         23 . The reversible eye patch of  claim 15 , further comprising an annular cover member configured to be mounted about the periphery of the eye shield and overlie the peripheral edge of the eye shield. 
     
     
         24 . The reversible eye patch of  claim 15 , wherein the elongate length of the access opening has a length that is at least the length of the minor axis of the elliptically shaped central opening.